Film processing apparatus which employs liquid-carrying containers



March 9, 1954 E. H. LAND FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS WHICH EMPLOYS LIQUID-CARRYING CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 21, 1951 3 VMW5N h o. 3 g 8 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Ill March 9,-1954 E. H. LAND FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS WHICH EMPLOYS LIQUID-CARRYING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 21, 1951 E. H. LAND March 9, 1954 FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS WHICH EMPLOYS LIQUID-CARRYING CONTAINERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 21, 1951 INVENTOR @wba TORNEY E. H. LAND G APPARATUS WHICH EMPLOYS -CARRYING CONTAINERS March 9,- 1954 FILM PROCESSIN LIQUID 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 21, 1951 INVENTORV av xmmm mil

ATTORNEY March 9,

E. H. 2,671,389 FILM PROCESSING APPARATUS WHICH EMPLOYS LIQUID-CARRYING CONTAINERS Filed Feb. 21, 1951 5 Sheets-Shet 5 E DZ/gVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 9, 1954 OFFICE FILM PRGCESSING APPARATUS WHICH EM- PLOYS LIQUID -CARRYING- CONTAINERS- Edwin H. Land, Cambridge, Mass., assignor to Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass., a corporation' of Delaware Application FebruarylZl, 1951', SeriaIJNo. 212,166 .20 Claims. (ores-4a) This inventionrelates to photography andlmore particularly to novel photographic apparatus, such asa camera, wherein a photosensitive sheet material may be processed by being brought into face-to-facerelationship with another sheet material and by having the liquid of a container carried byone of .said sheets released between said sheets. In a preferred form of the apparatus, negative and positive images are concurrently produced in the-two sheets and there is also preferablyprovided a dark chamber in the apparatus into which theprocessed sheets are fed, the imagesforming reactions being carried out while the sheets remain in this :dark chamber.

. The principal object of the present invention isto.provideimproved'means in such an apparatus for fracturing 'a container and releasing a photographic processing liquid from said .container, whichcontainer is carried independently of said sheets.

Another object of the inventionis to provide improved meansfor releasing theliquid fromsaid container as said sheets are advanced in faceto-face relation.

A: still further objector theinvention is to provideximproved mechanism actuated by the liquidspreading means and for preventing said sheets from advancing until the liquid container is moved to-liquid supply position.

.These and other objects of the invention, will in part beobvious and-will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and-arrangement o parts which are exemplifiedinthe following detailed disclosure, andthe scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a more complete .understandingof the naturev and objects-of the invention, reference should be had to the following-detaileddescription takenin connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary, sectional view of one preferred modification pf. the invention :as :embodied in a hand-held camera;

Fig. 2 is :an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional View of the imagexsheet supply, end ofthecamera;

lSig. 3 is a'viewsimilar tosFig.i2fbut-takenaalong lines-3 of .Fig. 4-;

1 Fig. 4 is an enlarged, detailed, :sectionaliview taken 'along line 4-4 of "Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 'is a fragmentary, sectionalwiew taken along the' line 5-"5 iof Fig. i-3; and

' Figsfi is an enlarged, fragmentary :view, insaiaca Ill 2 tion, similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

In a preferred type of hand-held camera embodying the present invention and illustrated in the-drawings, the camera comprises a front housins, a rear housing and a partition extending between .the two housings. Means are positioned in the camera for holding two sheets. In a preferrecl-form, there is one such means adjacent to one end of the camera, for holding a supply, such as .a roll, of the photosensitive film and means are provided preferably adjacent the other end of the camera for holding a supply, such as a second roll, of sheet-like material. An exposure opening is provided in the front housing and a door'isincluded in the rear housing, the partition spread the liquid discharged from the container by said liquid-releasing mechanism between the two .sheetlike materials in superposition between the pressure-applying members.

1 This invention is primarily directed to means for fracturing a container and releasing a photographic processing liquid from said container, which container is carried independently or" the negativeand positive sheets. In a preferred form of the. invention there is provided a support for a container carrying therein a photographic processing liquid, and there is also preferably provided a meansarranged, upon movement of saidsupport into liquid-releasing position, to activate the container-fracturing and liquid-releasing mechanism. .As illustrated, the containerfracturing and liquid-releasing mechanism coinprises means arranged to be brought pressure engagement with a liquid container mounted thereon and carrying a photographic processing liquid. Preferably, the pressure means isoperated through connections to one of the pressure-applying members arranged to spread the processing liquid between the superposed negative and positive sheets. A preferred arrangement also includes means for preventing movement of the negative and positive sheets untilithetcontainer mechanism is located in liquidreleasing position.

13111.3 :preierred :type of image-carrying sheet,

into

gee/1,389

the areas thereof adapted to carry the positive image are preferably defined by perforations which assist in the tearing out of these image area portions from the remainder of the sheet. In the normal use of a camera, when the we sheets are processed, this image area portion is positioned in superposition with the door so that, when the door is opened, this positive image area portion may be removed from the remainder of the image-carrying sheet by tearing along the perforations.

Referring now to the various. figures, there is shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, one preferred form of the invention as embodied in a handheld camera. This camera comprises a front housing l and a rear housing I2 pivoted thereto at I4. The front housing ID has secured thereto a bellows l6 and a shutter housing, schematically indicated at I8. A cover 20, pivotally secured at 2| to front housing I0, suitably supports the shutter housing I8 in proper spaced relationship to the camera body. An exposure opening 22 in the front housing It permits exposure of a photosensitive sheet 24 supported behind this opening 22 by means of a backing plate 26. The backing plate 26 is supported by a spring member 28 on a partition member 30 hinged as at 32 to the front housing It. Also preferably carried by the partition 39 is a spool holder 34 carrying a spool 36 of the photosensitive film 24. At the other end of the camera there is provided a chamber 38, preferably defined by front housing iii and rear housing l2, for holding a roll of image-carrying sheet 40. The image-carrying sheet as is supported on a roll 42 mounted in suitable supports 43 fixed in any suitable manner to the front housing of the camera. Each image-carrying sheet 40 includes spaced image area portions defined by a pluralit of perforations (not shown).

The processing means, which is shown in the preferred form as being positioned between the end of the exposure opening and the holder for the image-carrying sheet 40, comprises a pair of pressure rollers 44, 46. The roll 44 is preferably carried by a pair of arms 48 pivotally mounted on the housing In by pins 59 (Fig. l) and the pressure roll 46 is preferably carried by brackets 52 rigidly secured to the rear housing 12. A spring 54 and a pressure bar 56 apply a predetermined resilient load on the two rolls when they are in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

The rear surface 58 of the partition member 30 defines, with the rear housing 2, a dark chamber 60. A door 82 hinged at 64 is included in the rear housing l2 to provide access to the dark chamber 60. A discharge opening 66 in the righthand end of the chamber 60 is normally closed by a cutter bar 88 positioned exteriorly thereof, this cutter bar 68 being arranged to permit severance of those portions of the two sheets which serve as leaders for moving a succeeding image area into the dark chamber 80.

The present camera is provided with means for preventing light from reaching the pressure rolls 44, 46 when the door 62 is opened. This light-sealing means comprises a bladelike member 10 mounted in the rear housing I2 and extending transversely of the dark chamber 60 between the end of the door 62 and the pressure rolls 44, 46. This light-sealing means is of the type disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,491,769, granted December 20, 1949, on an application filed in the name of Charles 0. Rolando.

The camera is also provided with additional light-sealing means between the chamber 88 at the left-hand end of the camera and the dark chamber 80. This means comprises a wall member 69 which is preferably formed as an integral part of the rear housing I 2. The intermediate portion of the wall 69 extends above the lower edge portion of the light seal 10 and below the plane of the lower surfaces 58 of the partition member 30. The end portions of the wall member 69 extend substantially above the plane of the surface 58 and the inner edge portions thereof form sheet-edge-gulding means for the two laminated sheets as they are advanced into the dark chamber 60.

In a preferred type of camera embodying the present invention, the rear door is provided with a timing device which operates to prevent opening of the door until a predetermined time after the positioning of the imageand negative-carrying sheets within the dark chamber Bil. This timing device comprises a latch 12 and a timing mechanism 14 for operating the latch. The timing mechanism is preferably rendered operative to start its time cycle upon the movement of the cutting bar 88 from open position to the position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. At the end of a predetermined time after such a movement, the timing devicereleases the latch and the door 62 may be opened, at least a part of this opening being preferably accomplished by a spring (not shown). It is evident, however, that the timing mechanism may be rendered operative by some other portion of the camera such as the pressure rolls 44, 48 or the stop which positions the photosensitive and image areas prior to exposure.

The camera and the parts hereinbefore described are substantially the same as those described in the patent to Rolando hereinbefore referred to, to which reference may be had for a more detailed description of the various parts.

In the preferred form of process useful with the camera of the present invention, the photosensitive layer of the sheet 24 comprises a silver halide photosensitive emulsion carried by a suitable base, such as paper. With such an emulsion, the image-carrying sheet 40 preferably comprises a baryta paper. Photographic processing fluid is carried in suitable containers which are supplied independently of the sheets and are supported in such position above the imagecarrying sheet that fluid is released from the container and applied to the sheet as the sheet is fed forwardly between the pressure rolls 44, 46 prior to laminating the sheets for the processing operation in the dark chamber 60. The liquid carried by the containers 80 preferably comprises a viscous alkaline aqueous solution of the developer, a silver halide solvent and a film-forming material.

A preferred form of the camera comprises a die cast aluminum body whose interior is painted black, the light-sealing blade being preferably formed of brass with certain other parts being formed of phosphor bronze, all of these elements being given a dull black finish.

. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the liquid container 80 is carried and supported by a platelike member 88 which is provided adjacent to each end, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4, with grooved retaining members 88, which may be formed of metal and suitably secured to the plate 88 or, if so .desired, may be formed integrally therewith and into which vertical edge portions of the container 80 are received. The outer end of the plate 88 is preferably provided with an integrally formed cover member 90 which, as

-lsi i sa" shown; best; in Eigsz- 1:. and. 2;.isrreceived1in. are.

cessin therronthousingi I ;;01 the. camera. shelf 86. is received in: grooves. preieraoly. formed. between upstandmgribs. 9.2. formed-.atthe-sides. of, the; IIOI1l1;IlOLlSlIlg:.l-U,-&S. is shown. most clearly in. Eigs l. The. plate this. provided withasuitable. handle 9.4 and islocked. in position by. a suitable. spring-urged latch at, wlncn maintamsthe plate. with'thecontainer 3d thereon ina predetermined. liquid-releasing position. relatively to. the. image carryingsheetfifl. Ihe side, portions. of. the plate- 85. adjacent. to theside edges. of thesheet are. provided with. downwardly extending pivoted. members. 98. which are. arranged. to engage. re:

silient. metallic. plates. 1'00; and to. depress thesaid plates. I00. to movestopmembers.1.02. carried. by

said plates. 1.00:. out of registration withsuitable. openings. or. perforations. formed, in the sheet .40.

The. sheet 461 is. provided adjacent. to.- each edge portion with suitably. positioned perforationsinto:

which thestopmembers L02. arearranged to en.- ter-to prevent. feeding or moi/.ementof. the...imagfi.- carrying sheet. and. the. negative. sheetQd. until the shelf 8t and.thecontainerBethereonaresuitably. positioned in liquidareleasing position, as shownin Fig. 20f the drawings, thus. insuring. thatthe imagearea portion of thesheetdt. and. the image. area portion of the negativesheet. 2d willbe insuperposed relation whenthese sheets aremoved: or fed into. the dark chamber The container Bil. for the. processing liduidis preferably: one which .can,.by the. application of mechanicalstressthereto,.be caused to release its. contained liquid. ..A prefer-red type of. container is one so formed that. mechanical. stress. applied. theretowill cause oneedgeof the. container to be opened torelease theliquidfrom this. edge. The liquid container '80: is preferably formed ofa paper-backed metal foil coated at the, inner surface thereof: with asynthetic resin,.suoh aspolyvinyl butyral, which. is inert to alkalis.v Thecontainer as illustrated in Fig.4, for example, preferably extends transversely of the image-carrying sheet 40 with the weakened. edge thereof, located adjacentto theimage-carrying sheet 40;. Gilliev sheet isfolded upon itself. andsealed at; theends.

and along the edge opposite the fold; thepend sealsbeing preferably-stronger. than the edgesqal. Thus, after the photofsensitive sheet 2% has been; exposed and prior to moving the. exp sed arcayi thedark chamber 60, the processing liquid the. container 80 will be released. and fed to sheet, 40 andon the. image area. portion; thereof. The resiliently mounted rolls, 46; are effective to spread the. liquid uniformly over the image area portion of the sheet 40. The. processing liquid is: sufllciently viscous to. cause the sheets 24,, so to adhere to each other and thus uniform permsation of at least. the; photo-sensitive layer ofthe sheet 24. is effected.

. In a. preferred embodiment of the invention, the: container 80 mounted on the plate 85, as shown in Fig 2, and is arranged to be; fractured, and the liquid contained therein released, bya pressure roll [00 which isarranged to be moveddownwardly to apply mechanical stress to the'container 80 and to collapse said container to expel the liquid: contained therein.

Referring now to Fig. 3. of. the drawingsit will; be noted that the stop member I02 is in registration with suitable perforations, in the image.- carrying sheet 40. When the plate fifi carrying the container .80 is moved into the position shown in Fig, 2, the stops l02 are moved outof regis-,-

tratiomwitnthe perrorations .so. that;..thessheet; 40. mar c-I q 11 ,qarnc amber Eli-Morey mena Of the-plate 11 17. Ehfi.DQ HQ 1-..5 3OWI-1 Fi 2' is 'eliieotive tomove; ear seementshl i m h wi h ears Iilliifixed. to. ones. the shaft. lit on. which the pressure. or spreaoina-rolrtc isalsmsecured... 'ihe. gear se ments .iilfiaeachzfornrone arm of. a bell-cranir lever.whiplr. are: each. mounted on. pivots; m2. movable. .in..,slots. formed bosses. I14. atthe. sides. onthe..i.1iont. housing; 1.0.01 tnecamera... Each or the pivots. i is received ina. slot: formed. in the free..ends1..or levers. H6. pivoted. at Ll t. to the. sides. of. the iront housing. It. During. the. finalportionof. the move ment. of the container. support. into liquid-release ing. position,.flat springs fixed thereto. engage levers. ll 6. swing. the. levers H6. about. their pivots, carrying. with them. the gearsegnientsililfi; whichareimoved into mesh withrthegears, iflflz.

The. levers .i it are. normally urgededited-- tionaway from thegears [08. by suitable. tension. springs. :22. The upper portionof'. eaczhiarm 1:24; of. the bell crank levers is provided with. a longitudinal slot i26 which receives, the. endsofithe shaft. ltd on which the. pressure roll 16.4: is; mounted- Therollitjl; is-normally biased tow. d.- the container. supporttt by a. pair of, arms it pivoted. at. one end to. the pivotsv lgjB: andzpivota-= ally secured at their other. end tothi'e. roll shaft; :28. Each arm or ttdcomprises a..p.air-.of. telescoping tubular members I132; l 3,4.; spring:- urged in a. separatingdirection by compression springs list. To permit unimpeded access. of the container-carrying support. to into the hOllfi-ing: it, the end portions of the; roll 104. ride. Quer'cam. surfaces W8 formed. on members i lt.-formed;in.-- tegrally with the front. housing; l'dof the camera.

When the parts. are in the position shown; in; Fig. 2, with. the'container-carrying supportfifi in. liquid-releasing position, the gear segments .tild are in mesh with the gears. L08. The cuttingbar E8 is swung to open. positionthus.providingac: cess to the ends. of the superposed sheets..24,.4fis.. As thesesheets are drawn out of thedarlrchamber60, thepressure rolls; fiSLarerotated; -.Sinc.e. the gears I08 are. fixed to the shaft. lslit of the: pressure roll 46, thegear segments 36 in meshi. therewith are also rotated, causing the arms 1:24: of the bell-cranks to be swung in a counterclocka wisedirection to carry the roll its downwardly. into contact with. the liquid-carrying container to release processing liquid therefrom onto the imagearea of the sheet 40 therebelow. When; the pressure roll I04 passes beyond the deady-cenw ter position, thesprings I36 are eifective to move: the-roll I04 into the position shown in dottect lines in Fig. 3 with the segments 106 out of mesh. with thegears I08. Theparts arereturned tot-he full-line position shown in Fig. 3'uponwithdrawal1 of the container support 8E from the fronthous-- mg I!) of the camera. Each end portion of the support 86-is provided with a latch member- M2 (Fig; 4) which is preferably formed of springma terial such as brass or beryllium copper. 'Thelatch members I42 are so arranged that they will not engage the levers H6 upon insertion of the support 86 into the housing it; These latches I42, however, are arranged to engage cam surfaces '4, formed in the lower side edge of the wall 69 during the lower limits of the movement of, said support 86 into and out of liquid-releas-- i ngposition. Thus, the'spring latches 142 are: positioned toengage-the levers Ht d'urlng withdrawal ofthe support '86" from thehou-sing 40 i A until the links I30 pass dead center, when the lower ends of the latches -I42 pass beyond the upper ends of the cam surfaces M4. and the roll I04 is returned to the position shown in Fig. 3 by the springs I36 in the links I30.

In order to maintain tension on the sheet 49 during the feeding operation a pressure member I46 is provided which is mounted at its ends to the sides of the rear housing I2 and the sheet 40 is resiliently maintained in engagement therewith by a fiat plate member I48 which is suitably secured to the rear housing I2.

The modification shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings is illustrated as embodied in a hand-held camera of the type shown in Fig. 1. The liquid container 80 is supported in a slide I80 which is inserted into the camera through a suitable opening in the side thereof and which preferably is provided with a suitable cover (not shown) for preventing entrance of dust and the like into the interior of the camera. The slide I60 is provided with an integrally formed T-shaped member I62 which extends longitudinally of the slide I80 and transversely of the camera. The front I of the camera is provided with a depending wall I64 which forms, together with a light trap I66, a lighttight partition between the chamber 38 and the dark chamber 60. The wall I94 is provided with a transversely extending slot I86 arranged to receive the T-shaped member I62 and in which the member I92 is arranged to slide to carry the liquid container 80 into liquid-releasing position.

The slide I80 has hingedly secured thereto a pressure member I90 having on its containerrubber or other suitable resilient material. The pressure member I90 is provided with a longitudinally extending rib I94 which fits into a slot I96in a member I98 which presses against the opening 22, positioned between the pressure -rolls 44, 46, around the pressure roll 44 and backwardly across the partition member 30-which previously has been replaced in position. The leader portion of the sheet 24 then extends beyond the right-hand end of the front housing I0. -The spool 42 carrying the positive sheet 40 is placed in the spool holder 43, is brought under the pres.- sure member I46 between the pressure rolls 44, 46 underlying the photosensitive sheet 24. The leader end of the image-carrying sheet 40 is then drawn from the spool 42 until a mark or other suitable indicating means is brought into coincidence with similar means on the sheet 24 which serves to align the image area on the sheet 40. with the photosensitive area of the photosensitive sheet 24 after the latter area has been exposed and the superposed sheets moved into processing relation, as will hereinafter be described.

sheet 40 and maintains pressure thereon. The

member I90 adjacent to the slot I96 engages and forms a stop for the pressure member I90. The

upper end of the pad I92 is shaped to coincide with the upper edge portion of the container 89. The member I90 is swung about its hinge and toward the container 80 by an eccentric 202 fixed to a shaft 204 extending transversely of the chamber 39 and extending beyond one side of the housing. A handle 206 is fixed to the projecting end of the shaft 204 and, when moved in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, rotates the eccentric 202 and causes the pressure member I90 to be moved until the container 80 is entirely collapsed and all of the processing liquid expelled therefrom. The processing liquid is thus deposited on the sheet 40 and is spread uniformly over the image area portion thereof by the pressure rolls 44, 46 as the sheet 49 is fed forwardly into the processing chamber 60. When manual pressure on the handle 206 is released, the pressure of the upper edge portion of the resilient pad I92 against the upper edge of the container 80 will return the eccentric 202 and the pressure member I90 to the position shown in Figure 6.

While the invention has been described in detail, it may be well for a clearer understanding thereof to describe briefly how supplying sheet materials and photographic processing liquid to the camera of Figs. 1 to is accomplished. The camera is opened in the usual manner by rotating the rear housing I2 about a hinge I4 to expose the spool holders 34 and 43. The spool 36 carrying a photosensitive sheet 24 is inserted in the spool holder 34 and the leader portion of the photosensitive sheet 24 is led across the exposure The rear housing I2 is then moved to closed position, thus bringing the pressure roll 44 into pres-. sure engagement with the pressure roll 46. This movement of the rear housing I2 also brings the spring arm into position so that it resiliently engages the marginal edge of the rear surface of the partition member 30. The leaders on the two sheets are then pulled until the first photosensitive area of the photosensitive sheet 24 is in exposure position below the exposure opening 22 and further movement of the two sheets is pre-v vented by the stop I02 entering a perforation in the sheet 40. This movement of the leaders advancesthe corresponding portion of the imagecarrying sheet from the spool 42 so that it engaging surfacea yieldable pad I92 formed of will underlie the photosensitive area of the sheet 24 when the sheets are advanced into the processing chamber following exposure of the photosensitive sheet 24. The excess leader stock may now be cut off by moving the cutter bar 68 into position and tearing the leader stock against the bar 68. A liquid-carrying container .80 is then placed in the holder 86 and the holder 86 is moved into the position shown in Fig. 4. During the latter portion of this movement, the arm H6 is swung downwardly to cause the segments I06 to be brought into mesh with the teeth on the gear I08 fixed to the shaft IIO on which the pressure roll 44 is carried. This movement also moves the stop I02 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the releasing position shown in Fig. 2. After an exposure has been made the cutter bar 60 is swung downwardly to permit access to the ends of the leaders of the sheets 24 and 40 and the sheets are pulled to move the exposed photosensitive area of the sheet 24 into engagement with the image area of the sheet 40. During this move ment, the roll I04 is swung downwardly into pressure engagement with the liquid-carrying container to discharge liquid therefrom on the image area of the sheet 40 as the sheet 40 and.

the sheet 24 are advanced between the pressure rolls 44, 46 and into the processing chamber. After the two sheets have been moved into the processing chamber so that the photosensitive portion of the sheet 24 and the image area of the sheet 40 substantially underlie the door 62 of the rear housing I2, a mark or other suitable means on the leaders will determine the end of the movement into the processing chamber. The cutter 68 will then be swung back into the position shown in Fig. 1 and the excess leader material cut oil? as hereinbefore described. After the processing operation has been completed the door- 62 is opened and the perforated image-carrying 9 area with'the imagethereon is then removedfrom the'camera :in the usual manner.

Although the foregoing structure has been described by way of example as being embodied in a hand-held camera, it is to be expressly understood that the novel combination of the container-holding and -rupturing means and the liquid-spreading means, as hereinabove described, may be used for many other photographic purposes, for example in apparatus for copying documents or for just processing photosensitive film that has been exposedelsewhere than in said apparatus.

It is believed to be apparent also that the dark processing chamber which receives the two sheets" event, the superposed sheets may be ejected directly from the'apparatus into the open without danger of fogging the photosensitive layer. The term photosensitive as used herein'isto be understood as covering silver halide emulsions and other photosensitive materials which are ac-' tinic not only in the visible and near visible light but also to nuclear radiation so that the devices of the present'invention .are useful for such purposes as measuring dosages of nuclear radiation.

While preferred forms of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that various other modifications of the specific constructions shown may be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in'the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with at least aicontainer associated with said sheets, said container faces thereof, associated portions ofsaid sheets being adapted to be advanced through said region from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, locating means movable in a predetermined path for directing said container from a first position remote from said region to a second position adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said locating means for movement in said predetermined path, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container located at said second position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid therefrom onto saidone portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and means mechanically operatively connected to said second pressureapplying means for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said assolb ciated portions through said region causin superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.

2. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with atleast a container associated with said sheets, said container having a quantity of processing liquid there- Within which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces to said container, said quantity being slightly in excess of the minimum required for spreading a layer of predetermined depth and extent between said sheets, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced through said region from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, support means movable in a predetermined path for carrying said container from a first position remote from said region to a second position adjacent to said region on one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions; said support means providing a surface against which said container is adapted to abut, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said support means for movement in said predetermined path, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to cooperate with said surface of said support means in order to exert pressure on a container located at said second position and to cause ejection of processing liquid from saidcontainer onto said one portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and means mechanically operatively connected to said second pressure-applying means for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said associated portions through said region causing superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.

3. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheets, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin and a sealed mouth through which said processing liquid may be dispensed upon application of compressible forces to said container, said apparatus comprising a housing, first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, support means for mounting said container, said support means being movable from a position at which said container may be mounted thereon to a predetermined position at which the mouth of a container mounted thereon is adjacent said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said support means for movement into said predetermined position, second pressure-applying means comprising a member adapted to cooperate with said support means when said support means is in said predetermined position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid through said mouth onto'said one portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and means for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said associated portions through vsaid region causing superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.

4. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheets, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin and a sealed mouth through which said processing liquid may be dispensed upon application of compressible forces to said container, said apparatus comprising a housing, first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, said housing providing an opening through at least a wall thereof, guide means associated with said housing and being accessible through said opening, a support for said container, said support being movable through said opening and into engagement with said guide means, said guide means being adapted to locate said support at a predetermined position so that a container mounted thereon is adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and is adjacent to at least one of said portions, and a second pressure-applying means for exerting pressure on said container mounted on said support in order to cause ejection of processing liquid onto said one portion, advancement of said associated portions through said region causing superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.

5. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheets, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin and a sealed mouth through which said processing liquid may be dispensed upon application of compressible forces to said container, said apparatus comprising a housing, first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof. associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, said housing providing an opening through at least a wall thereof, guide means associated with said housing and aligned with said opening, a support for mounting said container, said support being movable through said opening and into said housing, movement of said support within said housing being constrained by said guide means, means associated with said guide means for locating said support at a predetermined position so that a container mounted thereon is adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and is adjacent to at least one of said portions, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container mounted on said support in order to cause ejection of processing liquid onto said one portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and means for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said associated portions through said region causing superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.

6. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheet, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces thereto, said apparatus comprising a housing, a first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, portions of said sheet being adapted to be advanced through said region from one side of said region to the oppo site side thereof, locating means movable in a predetermined path for directing said container from a first position remote from said region to a second position adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions, said locating means providing a surface against which said container is adapted to abut, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said locating means for movement in said predetermined path, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to cooperate with said surface of said 10- cating means in order to exert pressure on a container located at said second position and to cause ejection of processing liquid therefrom onto said one portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and means mechanically operatively connected to said second pressure-applying means for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said portions through said region causing spreading of a layer of processing liquid on said'portions.

7. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheet, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces thereto, said apparatus comprising a hous ing, a first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, portions of said sheet being adapted to be advanced through said region from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, said housing providing an opening through at least a wall thereof, guide means associated with said housing and being accessible through said opening, a support for said container, said support being movable through said opening and into engagement with said guide means, said guide means being adapted to locate said support at a predetermined position so that a container mounted thereon is adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and is adjacent to at least one of said portions, and a second pressure-applying means for exerting pressure on a container mounted on said support in order to cause ejection of processing liquid onto said one portion, advancement of said one portion through said region causing spreading of a layer of processing liquid over said portions.

8. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheet, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces thereto, said apparatus comprising a housing, a first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, portions of said sheet being adapted to be advanced through said region from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, said housing providing an opening through at least a wall thereof, guide means associated with said housing and aligned with said opening, a support for mounting said container, said support being movable through said opening awn-e89 and into said zhousing movement of said support within said housing being constrained by said :guide means, means associated with said guide means for locating said support at a p; mined position' sowthat a container mounted thereon is adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and is adjacent to at least one of said portions, a second pressure-applying means which, whenfactuated, is adapted to exert pressure one container mounted on said support in order to cause ejection of processing liquid onto said :one portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated,.and means'for actuating said second 'pressure applyin'g means, advancement .of said one portion throughsaid region causingspreading of a .layerof said process ing liquid on said portion.

9. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with another sheetand in conjunction with at least a container 7 associated with said sheets, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid *therewithin which may be entirelyv dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces to said container, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced through said region from one sideof said region .to .the opposite side thereof, support means movable in a predetermined path for carrying said container from a first position remote from said region to a second position adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of portions, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said support'rneans formovement in said predetermined path, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on' a container "lo cated at said second position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid therefrom onto said one portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and means responsive to the advancement of said associated portions through said region for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said associated portions through said region causing jsuperposition'thereof wit-ha layer of processing liquid therebetween.

l0.' A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheetin conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheets, said container having apredeterminedquantity of processing liquid 7 therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces-to said container, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying means including a pair of rollers defining a region therebetween, associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be ad- :vanced between said rollers, advancementof said "sheetsbetween said rollers being accompanied by rotation of said rollers, .meansior locating said container at a predetermined position adjacent to said region and adjacent to at least lone-of said portions, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pres sure on a container-located at said predetermined position. in order to cause ejection of processing 1 l liquid therefrom onto said one portion, sec 'ond pressure=applying means being'normally deactu'ated, and means synchronized with said rotation of said "rollers for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said associated portions between said rollers causing superposition of said portions with a layer-of "processing liquid therebetween.

applying means within said housing, said first pressure-applying means including a pair of rollers adapted to generate pressure in the region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, associated portions of said sheets being adapted to headvanced between said rollers in superposed :relation, stop means operable to arrest advancement of said sheets between said rollers, said housing providing an opening through at least a wall thereof, guide means associated with said housing and aligned with said opening, a support for a container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces to said container, said support'being movable through said opening and into said housing, movement of said support within said housing being constrained by said guide means, means associated. with said guid means for 10- cating said support at a predetermined position so that a container mounted thereon is adjacent to said region and to at least one of said portions, movement of support into said predetermined position. rendering said stop means inoperable, a second pressure-applying means which, 'when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on said :container mounted on said support in order to cause ejection of processing liquid onto said one portion, said second pressure-applying means beingnormally deactuated, and means synchronized with the advancement of said sheets through said region causing superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.

l2. A'photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitiv sheet in conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheets, said container having a quantity of processing liquid therewithinwhich may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional f-orcesto said container, said-quantity being slightly in excess of the minimum re quired for spreading a layer of predetermined depth and extent between said sheets, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying'means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced through said region from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, support means movable in a predetermined path for carrying said container from a first position'remotefrom said region to a second position adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions, guide means-associated with said housing for constraining said support means for movement in said predetermined path, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container located at said second position inorder to cause ejection of processing liquid therefrom 'ontosaid one portiomsaid second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and a manually operable handle for actuating said second pressure-applying means, "advancemerit of said associated portions through said region causing superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.-

13. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with another sheet and in conjunction with at least a container associated with said sheets, said container having a quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces to said container, said quantity being slightly in excess of the minimum required for spreading a layer of predetermined depth and extent between said sheets, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof. associated portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced through said region from on side of said region to the opposite side thereof, guide means associated with said housing, a support for said container engageable with said guide means, said guide means being adapted to locate said support at a predetermined position so that a container mounted thereon is adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and is adjacent to at least one of said portions, and a second pressureapplying means comprising a resilient pad movable with respect to said support and adapted to exert pressure on a container mounted on said support in order to cause ejection of processing liquid onto said one portion, advancement; of said associated portions through said region causing superposition thereof with a layer of processing liquid therebetween.

14. A photographic apparatus for processing a photographic sheet in conjunction with a container having therewithin a quantity of processing liquid which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces thereto, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof,

portions of said sheet being adapted to be ad-- r vanced through said region from one side thereof to the opposite side thereof, support means movable in a predetermined path for carrying said container from a first position remote from said region to a second position adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said support means for movement in said predetermined path, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container located at said second position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid from said container onto said one of said portions, said second pressure-applying means being normally 'deactuated, and actuating means mechanically operatively connected to said second pressureapplying means.

15. A photographic apparatus for processing a photographic sheet in conjunction with a container having therewithin a quantity of processing liquid which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces thereto, said quantity being slightly in excess of the minimum required for spreading a layer of predetermined depth and extent on said sheet, said apparatus comprising a first pair of pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, portions of said sheet being adapted to be advanced through said region from said one side thereof to the opposite side thereof, support means movable in a predetermined path for carrying said container from a first position remote from said region to a second position adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said support means for movement in said predetermined path, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container located at said second position in order'to cause ejection of processing liquid from said container onto said one of said portions, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and actuating means mechanically operatively connected to said second pressure-applying means. i

16. A photographic apparatus for processing a photographic sheet in conjunction with a container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin and a sealed mouth through which said processing liquid may be dispensed upon application of compressional forces to said container, said apparatus comprising a housing, first pressure-applying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, portions of said sheet being adapted to be advanced from one side of said region to the opposite side thereof, support means for mounting said container, said support means being movable from a position at which said container may be mounted thereon to a predetermined position at which the mouth of a container mounted thereon is adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to at least one of said portions, guide means associated with said housing for constraining said support means for movement into said predetermined position, second pressure-applying means comprising a member adapted to cooperate with said support means when said support means is in said predetermined position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid through said mouth onto said one of said portions, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and actuating means mechanically operatively connected to said second pressure-applying means, whereby advancement of said one of said portions through said region causes a layer of processing liquid to be spread on said one of said portions.

17. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with at least a container associated therewith, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces thereto, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying means defining a pressure-applying region, means for metering advancement of successive portions of said sheet through said region, means for locating said container at a predetermined position adjacent to said region and adjacent to one of said portions, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container located at said predetermined position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid from said container onto said one of said portions, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, said means for metering advancement of successive portions of said sheet through said region being synchronized with said second pressure-applying means whereby advancement of said sheet through said region is accompanied by actuation of said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said one portion through said region 17 causing a layer of processing liquid to be spread upon said one portion.

18. A photographic apparatus for processing a photo-sensitive sheet in conjunction with at least a container associated therewith, said container having a predetermined quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application of compressional forces thereto, said apparatus comprising a first pressure-applying means including a pair of rollers, successive portions of said sheet being adapted to be advanced between said rollers, advancement of said sheet between said rollers being accompanied by rotation of said rollers, means for 10- cating said container at a predetermined position adjacent to said region and adjacent to one of said portions, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container located at said predetermined position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid therefrom onto said one portion, said second pressure-applying means being normally deactuated, and means synchronized with said rollers for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said one of said portions between said rollers causing a layer of processing liquid to be spread upon said one of said portions.

19. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with a container associated therewith, said container having a quantity of processing liquid therewithin which may be dispensed therefrom upon application thereto of compressional forces, said apparatus comprising a housing, a first pressure-applying means within said housing, said first pressureapplying means including a pair of members defining a region between the adjacent surfaces thereof, successive portions of said sheets being adapted to be advanced through said region from one side thereof to the opposite side thereof, means for locating said container at a predetermined position adjacent to said region on said one side thereof and adjacent to one of said portions, a second pressure-applying means which, when actuated, is adapted to exert pressure on a container located at said predetermined position in order to cause ejection of processing liquid therefrom onto said one portion, said second pressure applying means being normally deactuated, and a manually operable handle operatively connected to said second pressure-applying means and extending through said housing for actuating said second pressure-applying means, advancement of said one of said portions through said region causing a layer of processing liquid to be spread upon said one of said portions.

20. A photographic apparatus for processing a photosensitive sheet in conjunction with a container associated therewith, said container having a substantially flat face, having a predeterminde quantity of processing liquid therewithin and having a liquid-dispensing mouth, said apparatus comprising a housing, a first pressureapplying means mounted within said housing and defining a pressure-applying region, successive portions of said sheet being adapted to be advanced through said pressure-applying region from one side thereof to the opposite side thereof, support means for locating said container at a predetermined position adjacent to said pressure-applying region on said one side thereof so that said mouth is adjacent to one of said portions, said support means being provided with a substatnially fiat surface against which said face of said container abuts when said container is in said predetermined position, a member pivotally connected to said housing, and a second pressureapplying means operatively connected to said member, said second pressure-applying means, when actuated, being adapted to successively contact successive portions of said container and to successively compress said successive portions against said support means in order to cause ejection of said processing liquid from said container, through said mouth and onto said one of said portions.

Name Date Land Feb. 10, 1948 Number 

